[Contamination of drinking water with atrazine, simazine and nitrate in the Rastatt, Baden-Baden and Bühl areas]

Abstract

Drinking water samples taken from public waterworks and private water sources were examined between November 1986 and July 1988 for atrazin and simazin content in the area of the Rastatt Public Health Office and its subsidiary offices in Baden-Baden and Bühl (located in the Federal German Land of Baden-Württemberg). The overall result of the examination of 41 samples taken from public waterworks and of 29 samples taken from private water sources showed that the drinking water offered by the public waterworks from reservoirs in areas declared as protected drinking water areas, is generally free from pesticide residues. However, water from private sources must be considered as extremely exposed to risk. Of 29 wells that were tested, only three were free from atrazin and only 5 free from simazin. The nitrate situation can presently be considered as being under control. Limit values have not been exceeded anywhere except for one private well.